It all
started with Mike Ditka proclaiming his desire to draft Ricky Williams.
He first tried to persuade Cincinnati to part with the No. 3
pick, offering them all of that years picks, No. 1's in 2000 and 2001, and
a No. 2 in 2002. After the Bengals refused to bite on that, he
offered Indianapolis all of that year's picks, a No. 2 and No. 3 the
following year, a
No. 1 in 2001, and cornerback Alex Molden, the No. 1 pick in 1996.
With a plan in mind, Bill Polian shunned Da Coach's offer and traded
Marshall Faulk to the Rams. Upon learning of that trade, Ditka thought for sure that Ricky was
gone. I can only imagine the look on his face when Paul Tagliabue
announced the choice of Edgerrin James with the Colts pick.

The
celebration ensued shortly after as Redskin's GM Charlie Casserly took
Ditka's offer, proving once again the Bengals wouldn't know a good deal if
it slapped them in the face.

Mike Ditka had no clue as to the impact his choice would make on the next
4 years for the Saints...